Why are purebreds such as pugs and Samoyeds so expensive?

How much do you like dogs? Enough to spend $ 1.9 million on one? That's what a Tibetan mastiff was sold in 2014. For breeders and dog owners, taking care of their pet becomes an obsession for life. So, why are purebred dogs so expensive?

Every year, more than 21,500 dogs from 43 countries compete in Crufts. It's here that you can see some of the most sought-after dogs in the world: Akita, Chow Chows, Löwchens and Samoyeds. Here you can also buy dog ​​treats, accessories and fashion items because owners continue to invest in their animals. The value of the UK market for pet products and services is expected to reach £ 2.1 billion by 2023.

According to Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club UK, people are investing in purebred dogs because of their characteristic traits. "If you have a dog of a breed that has always gathered sheep," said Kisko, "you tend to have a dog that will bring the family together, so there are certain instincts that we have raised in the So, if you have a dog that has always been bred to be a good companion, something like a Pekingese or some other breed of toy, it will naturally make good companions. "

While the winners of the Best in Show at Crufts receive a trophy and a modest £ 100, other competitions award higher cash prizes.

Breeding can also save vulnerable dog breeds. The Löwchen – a tiny breed of up to $ 10,000 – have been around since 1442. But in 1944 they were extremely rare. Mrs Bennert, breeder, brought them back to the brink of extinction and in 1971 the Löwchen Club of America was formed.

But if there are responsible breeders, there are also cases of irresponsible breeding. It was reported in 2018 that thousands of Tibetan mastiffs were being abandoned in China. Once the most wanted dogs in the world – costing up to $ 1.9 million and sought for their rarity and status, there has been a complete collapse in demand.

We talked to Cat Wood, a veterinarian at the RSPCA. "If a breed becomes very popular, breeders can charge a lot more," said Wood. "There are obviously many breeders who care a lot about animals and who raise them to the best of their ability.But they are unable to have enough puppies to meet the demand, Is where unscrupulous breeders will come and they can earn a lot of money. "

What is fashionable or photogenic plays a big role. Instagram is flooded with Tibetan mastiffs, huskies, Shiba Inus, chow-chows and Akitas. Demand is increasing for the genealogy market, with a 7% increase in the number of puppies registered in the UK in 2017.

Pictures of Channel 4 / Shooting with the kind permission of Kennel Club Ltd.Crufts 2019 will be broadcast on All 4.